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Porches & Decks

Ipe or Composite?

19 years ago

I just bought a house, and this spring I am going to build a deck. I am just not sure if i want to go with a composite deck or an Ipe deck. Can any one help me decide witch one is the best choice.

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Comments (11)

dmconstruction
19 years ago
I would have to say you are going to be alot happier if you go with the Ipe decking. Alot of the composites do not last as long as people think. Plus if the composites become scrached you can not sand them out. Not to mention that it is famous for growing mold. You should give the guys at ipedepot a call they will give you a great price on some real nice Ipe.
john_hyatt
19 years ago
I agree ipe has a lot of advantage over composite, a person might check out Garapa its a golden color decking from S America just as stable as ipe and a little less $ East Teak>>800 338 5636
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jsmith99702
Original Author
19 years ago
Is Garapa going to last as long a Ipe? I never heard of it before. How is it to work with? I seen Some pics on the internet. I don't realy like the color so much it is to light.
john_hyatt
19 years ago
Thats true,garapa is a yellow/golden color. It has a very good rep far as long lasting goes, cuts/drills a little easyer than ipe. It passed the lay outside in the weather behind John's shop test, no warping,twisting or checking.

George at East Teak even tried painting it with good results. J
dssxxxx
19 years ago
I think I have read every post on every forums on home improvement, decks, etc.

JH has answered some questions very well as many others have done.

After all my research:

Wood: Ipe - If you want a natural grey deck - the only wood to use that will truely be maintenance free. With yearly maintenance, you will have one of the better decks around.

Composite: Timbertech - But no matter what anybody says, you stand the "possibility" of mildew and staining. Or you can go through the yearly maintenance to clean and reseal. Also, the "newest" Trek.

PVC: Procell - completely maintenance free, but with a little plastic look. There are others.

Myself, I have decided to pay a little more and go Procell because I am truely looking for a maintenance free deck. Plus, the wife does not like the naturally greying look.

JMHO
deckman22
19 years ago
Since the cost of most composites is close to or more than ipe I'd go with the ipe every time. However some people don't like the yearly stain/sealing & opt to go with a composite. I've used a lot of the different brands available & highly suggest going with one of the harder products like the procell mentioned or Amerideck which is available all over the west coast or thru Austin Wholesale Decking if you are anywhere east of there. Talk to Fernando, 512-834-1200.
john_hyatt
19 years ago
Side note>>>Composite has taken a big jump in price because there is not enough used plactic around to fill the need of all the gambling Wallets beliving the wild claims the composite boys put out there, soooooooo for all purpose its virgin material used,sooooo it goes up with the price of oil.
gvgemtp
19 years ago
IPE Or Garapa Stable and last forever
troubleseekeral
19 years ago
I would lean to the ipe. I am getting ready to build a pool deck at my residence and thought I was pretty much decided on composite, based on what I THOUGHT I knew.Then I started browsing various forums ("contractor talk" has quite a few posts on this), and was shocked at the extent of the mildew problems with composites, and what seems to be the general disappointments with most of them. Seems there is quite a gap between their real world performance and their marketing claims. If I have to do yearly maintenance anyway, I much prefer the look of the wood.
joyce54
19 years ago
Ive done all my decks in Ipe and was lead away from the composite material by the guys at Advantage Trim and Lumber they told me and as I found out in my own research and reading fourms that the composites are having a problem lasting over 5 years in most comercial use so all in all go with Ipe my guys at Ipedepot.com can help you out with what ever you might need
jsmith99702
Original Author
19 years ago
So I decided to go with the Ipe. Now my only question is where should I buy from? I don't want to pay to much and I want the best deal posiable and the best looking material I can get my hands on.

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